5 Ways ADHD Can Affect Your Teen’s Mental Health

Raising a teen is challenging. They’re beginning the normal developmental process of separating from you, establishing more independence from the nuclear family, and developing a unique identity. 

Raising a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the challenge of being a teen and being the parent of one. Our board-certified pediatric neurologist, Dr. Charles Niesen, and our team at AMS Neurology in Pasadena, California, treat many teens with ADHD to help them and you navigate what can be a bumpy phase of life. 

The majority of teens with ADHD suffer from a comorbid condition such as depression and/or anxiety, a learning disorder, or a behavior issue. Most parents of children with ADHD find that therapeutic support is critical to both teen and family health. 

The following are five ways ADHD can affect your teen’s mental health. 

Low self-esteem 

Whether your teen has the inattentive-only type of ADHD or the inattentive-hyperactive type, they may suffer from low self-esteem. Perhaps they’ve had conflicts with others or have lost friends after a disagreement. Maybe they’re so impulsive that they can’t sit still, and they annoy others around them. 

The teacher may stand near your child in class to prevent misbehavior. Although your child might be the class clown, frequent criticism can lead to your teen believing they’re a misfit. 

If your child’s academic performance suffers because they can’t remember school assignments or aren’t able to organize their school tasks successfully, they may question their intelligence and secretly think they’re stupid. 

It’s not surprising that ADHD teens can feel demoralized. A poor self-image can lead to risky behaviors and even self-harm. 

Depression 

If your teen suffers from low self-esteem, they’re at risk of depression. If their social efforts fail because they don’t pick up on certain social cues, they may not be included in friendship groups. 

Belonging to a group is important for good mental health. Without friends, your child may feel alone. Isolation can lead to depression. 

A teen with ADHD is five times more likely to suffer from major depressive disorder than a teen without ADHD. Is your child in that group? 

Anxiety 

More than 40% of teens with ADHD suffer from ongoing anxiety. Their efforts to make and keep friends may not always succeed, causing social anxiety about whether they’ll be accepted in a group. 

Constant worry can lead to irritability, restlessness, and panic. Anxiety and depression are comorbid disorders, so if your teen is anxious, there’s also a chance they’re depressed. 

Emotional dysregulation

Does your teen sometimes blow up when you tell them it’s time to go home or turn out the light and go to bed? ADHD often presents with emotional dysregulation. 

Your teen may have trouble managing strong emotions. Perhaps they can’t handle frustration when trying to complete a long school assignment or when you ask them to do a chore they don’t want to do. 

Risky behaviors 

Your teen is at a higher-than-normal risk for dangerous behaviors such as reckless driving and experimenting early with alcohol and drugs. They’re at higher risk of substance abuse addiction. It’s hard for ADHD teens to control impulses that can cause life-altering accidents. 

Being aware of the statistics relating to ADHD teens gives you, the parent, strong motivation to seek professional help for your child. You can successfully navigate this phase in your child’s life by becoming knowledgeable about and utilizing available resources, such as Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) and many others. 

Dr. Niesen offers multi-modal treatment, including therapy, medication, and help getting an IEP, other school modifications, or a coach or tutor. You and your child may also benefit from a parent support group and a teen support group. 

Call AMS Neurology or book an appointment online today for expert treatment for your ADHD teen.